Lean protein, the quest

My menu is almost entirely systemized but one more piece of the puzzle remains in research. I’ve figured out the best vegetables to make me reach my daily vitamin and mineral targets, I’ve selected my complex carbs sources that respect my sensitivities and even started putting together baking recipes. I’ve eliminated excess fats particularly saturated fats and omega-6s, now time to focus on finding lean protein sources.

I’ve started undertaking the nutritional challenge of the second part of this year by purchasing as ecofriendly as possible meats and fishes while increasing my vegetarian protein intake. More than finding the right producers and markets for the items I seek, I will also have to budget carefully. Good quality meats that are not chicken, beef or pork are rare and pricy, additionally, I need to allocate more grocery time due to longer commuting to reach further locations with my desired butchery cuts. Some may suggest I go vegetarian or even better vegan but my sensitivity to nuts, seeds, grains and a good portion of legumes makes it hard to balance my nutrition particularly with a 33/33/33 macros division. By the end of the 2 years I’ve committed to this project, I will decide if I go back to Keto menu or push further in vegetarianism. For now, I wish to stick to my established plan unless a major issue requires me to change my program. Pollution, climate change and animal cruelty are major issues, without a doubt, and I’m slowly moving towards better conscious choices. I’m gradually implementing more aspects of environmentally friendly practices in my daily life and have succeeded in significantly improving my overall goods consumption in the past years.

My initial ecological decision was not to have a car and I never bothered getting a driver’s license because I knew it would be not only a financial burden to pay for a vehicle but also it would be an unnecessary expense due to the quality of common transportation large Canadian cities have. I also tend to stay in neighbourhoods well serviced within walking distance. The other way I bring my contribution to the environment is to acquire only the essentials as much as possible. Before buying anything, I ask myself:

“Do I really need it?”

“Did I frequently used this in the past and need to replace it or is it something that feels like it’s needed but I’ve lived well without it for a long time?”

“How will it improve my life significantly?”

“Is it going to create clutter in my already small space?”

“Can I clean it and maintain it easily?”

“Are the materials use in this eco-responsible?”

“Is it over packages?”

“Can I find it at the thrift store?”

After careful analysis, I will buy the item if it truly will serve a purpose and if it meets reasonable ecological standards. Impulse buying is a compensation mechanism I try to avoid as much as possible. When I feel at prey of a shopping burst, I breathe deeply and explore my emotional state. Worries, insecurities or stressors start to show up and I bring my energy to accepting those feelings rather than distract myself in store ails to avoid them. Self-awareness is the best way to preserve the health of your wallet.

My ambition is to eventually live in an eco-efficient home with as much as possible natural, renewable or recycled materials. Reducing the use of petroleum-based items and finding none electricity-dependent household setups that would give me comfort while being effective. Utilizing water with hyper-efficiency and composting all organic waste. Luckily, I’m among a sea of thinkers and visionaries that now share their discoveries for free online. I will sustain my use of computer devices for work, communications, education and music. I’ve detoxed myself long ago from of television, online streaming and social media, so living with only a computer is what I prefer since phone calls can be made through the internet.

Keeping it simple has been a motto for my home settings since I left the family house. I’m thrilled to refine my process by improving my grocery and cooking habits. The journey is what excites me: the trial and error, the research, creative thinking and the satisfaction of discovering something on my own. My program is not only a test of persistence, it’s a tool to elevate all the aspects of my life, including my having a more positive impact on the environment.